Manchester City in driving seat to clinch Premier League title: Alex Ferguson

London: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has reckoned rivals Manchester City are in the driving seat to clinch the Premier League title following United`s 1-0 defeat at Etihad Stadium.

"It was a damaging result. They are in the driving seat and we are up against it. They only need to win two more games and they win the league,” The BBC quoted Ferguson, as saying.

Ferguson admitted his side had not been at their best and that City deserved their win, given to them by Kompany`s powerful header from a David Silva corner in first-half injury time.

"We didn`t test their goalkeeper enough. We started quite brightly and for 15 minutes our possession of the ball was good, but the longer the half went on I thought we were looking for half-time,” he added.

Ferguson also expressed disappointment to see his side concede from a set-piece - compounded by the bad timing of the goal.

"I`m very annoyed to concede from a set-piece. At this level of football you can`t do that. It was a bad time to lose the goal. After that they [City] just sat and played on the counter-attack. But I can`t complain about the result,” he added.

City`s win takes them level with United on points, but the former has an eight-goal better goal difference.

With two games remaining, Roberto Mancini`s side are now favourites to claim the title after closing a gap that was as wide as eight points at the start of April.